Narrated Worlds

Print cover

Ben Julien — Wed, 16 May 2012 10:12:11 +0000

Something of a learning curve, but I now have a print version of Exiles of the Bhel Sea in the works, with the full spread 6"x9" paperback cover shown here. I also have ePub versions of the ebook available through Smashwords linked over on the right and through the Order Books page. It'll appear in the individual ereader book stores soon.

Exiles of the Bhel Sea

Ben Julien — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 06:00:53 +0000

Well this one took me a while. With a huge sigh of relief, I can now say that my fourth book is available. This is the first novel I have published electronically (Kindle version available now, other formats later this week), and while I will do a print version, it isn't the main focus.

And so, Exiles of the Bhel Sea is ready!

$5.99 for the full book, while of course one fantastic advantage of ebooks is that you can sample the novel for free and test-drive it.

Special thanks to my artist, Kentaro Kanamoto, my editor Amanda Le Bas du Plumetot, my cartographer-extraordinaire Matthew French, and my beta readers Amanda Le Bas du Plumetot, Steven Turner, Aidan Doyle and Alex Hong. Much appreciated.

Thanks of course to my long-suffering wife, Kristy, and my kids, Sophie and Phoebe. The main reason for the time this book has taken is the arrival of my daughters and that goes with raising children, and I hope that one day they read and enjoy this book.

It's a long one - about the same length as my Runes trilogy combined - but then epic fantasy novels are called "epic" for a reason!

Photography

Ben Julien — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 06:02:33 +0000

Drive-by interview

Ben Julien — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 06:09:26 +0000

A belated link back to an interview of me over at Angela Slatter's very informative blog: http://www.angelaslatter.com/the-runes-of-odin-drive-by-ben-julien/ .

Angela is a fellow Brisbaneite, a fellow inmate at Clarion South 2009, and the author of several anthologies and more published short stories than I care to count.

More artwork for The Bhel Sea

Ben Julien — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 10:02:57 +0000

More work from Kentaro, this one is of the drought-stricken, poisoned flood plains of the Sentinels, a view from up high on Altlith, one of the surviving Sentinel cities built onto a gargantuan spire of rock jutting up from the plain below.

I had planned to have the book ready to go by now, but I'm in the midst of moving interstate, back to my home town of Brisbane, so a little delay is in order. Looking next month (February) to have it available on e-readings, in print soon after.

School interview, Erskine Park High, NSW - Part II

Ben Julien — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 03:47:03 +0000

And here's the second half of the great questions from the students of Erskine Park High:

12. Why did you give Lena red hair? Was it because it was bright or uncommon? Thisuri

I wanted to use the idea of how unusual red hair is, particularly among blond Scandinavians, and use it as a symbolism of the power of the rune magic. Red hair is definitely uncommon, but even more so in Lena and Calum’s world where it indicated the latent power of a vala or duelva. Red hair is much more common in Britain, or the Isles of the novel’s world, so it also added an element of confusion and a reason why Bjorn might want to take Lena when he was raiding in the beginning of the book. Lastly, I had browny-orange hair and freckles as a kid. I don’t have much of my hair now (and it has become brown) but maybe I was putting myself in the story again.

School interview, Erskine Park High, NSW - Part I

Ben Julien — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 04:59:27 +0000

A class of grade 9 students over at Erskine Park High have been reading The Runes of Odin and sent me a whole slew of great questions about the book, my writing process and tips for being a writer. Below are the first ten questions and my answers, with the first name(s) of the student(s) who asked each question. It is a great pleasure to hear from them and I'd like to thank their teacher, Natali, for setting this all up.

Branding

Ben Julien — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 09:50:38 +0000

Branding is something every writer deals with in some form. From the style of writing, to the typical settings or types of stories a particular writer might use more often than others, and then on to the look of a series of novels, the illustrations, cover design and even the publisher’s imprint. These are all important ways for readers to identify a writer, to find more of his/her works, and to feel comfortable with a genre choice.

Project updates

Ben Julien — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 02:17:48 +0000

This isn't a quick process as I've made the decision to complete the first draft of the newest novel, The Decay Chain, before finalising the edits and uploading The Bhel Sea. I think this is important for a few reasons, not the least that I keep the momentum I have with the new manuscript, then tuck it away to ferment for a month before shining some redrafting light onto it. I also want to complete the Bhel Sea and then spend some time outlining the sequels, which given the scale of the story and settings, will take a while. It also allows time for Kentaro Kanamoto, the illustrator, to complete the internal illustrations (B&W inserts). Ideally, it'll all be finished before Xmas, but I am not going to rush just for that deadline.

So, soon enough, but not soon enough. Here is an example of what the final e-book cover may look like.

Bhel Sea teaser

Ben Julien — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 10:03:06 +0000

Jhared’s knuckles turned white on his sword hilt. His gaze was locked on Tarnok’s, but still he was aware of the whispered approach of robes and accusing eyes. Bare feet coming closer. Muted chanted. Sibilant whispers. Swords before and behind him held too tightly, too ready.

Drought. Long starvation. War. Now this.

‘And? What do the Saldina say? Are you here to do a cripple’s bidding?’ Jhared asked, then spat. The world had changed for the Elaan, but the Sept was still the Sept. Damnation came a late second.